Protease variants and compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to protease subtilase enzyme, characterized by an insertion in at least one active site loop. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in a detergent in comparison to its parent enzyme if it is a subtilase variant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/196,281 filed Nov. 19, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,458, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish application no. 1332/97 filed Nov. 21, 1997, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to novel mutant protease enzymes or enzyme variants, comprising insertions in one or more active site loops, useful in formulating detergent compositions and exhibiting improved wash performance in detergents; cleaning and detergent compositions containing said enzymes; mutated genes coding for the expression of said enzymes when inserted into a suitable host cell or organism; and such host cells transformed therewith and capable of expressing said enzyme variants.

2. Description of Related Art

In the detergent industry enzymes have for more than 30 years been implemented in washing formulations. Enzymes used in such formulations comprise proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, as well as other enzymes, or mixtures thereof. Commercially most important enzymes are proteases.

An increasing number of commercially used proteases are protein engineered variants of naturally occurring wild type proteases, e.g. DURAZYM® (Novo Nordisk A/S), RELASE® (Novo Nordisk A/S), MAXAPEM® (Gist-Brocades N.V.), PURAFECT® (Genencor International, Inc.).

Further a number of protease variants are described in the art, such as in EP 130756 (GENENTECH)(corresponding to U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 34,606 (GENENCOR)); EP 214435 (HENKEL); WO 87/04461 (AMGEN); WO 87/05050 (GENEX); EP 260105 (GENENCOR); Thomas, Russell, and Fersht (1985) Nature 318 375-376; Thomas, Russell, and Fersht (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 193 803-813; Russel and Fersht Nature 328 496-500 (1987); WO 88/08028 (Genex); WO 88/08033 (Amgen); WO 95/27049 (SOLVAY S.A.); WO 95/30011 (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY); WO 95/30010 (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY); WO 95/29979 (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,302 (SOLVAY S.A.); EP 251 446 (GENENCOR); WO 89/06279 (NOVO NORDISK A/S); WO 91/00345 (NOVO NORDISK A/S); EP 525 610 A1(SOLVAY); and WO 94/02618 (GIST-BROCADES N.V.).

However, even though a number of useful protease variants have been described, there is still a need for new improved proteases or protease variants for a number of industrial uses.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide improved proteases or protein engineered protease variants, especially for use in the detergent industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have identified that it is possible to construct variants of BLSAVI (Savinase®), having improved wash performance in detergent, as compared to the parent wildtype BLSAVI, by introducing at least one insertion in at least one of the active site loops in said BLSAVI.

It is predicted that it will be possible to make similar variants in other subtilases, which are similar to BLSAVI.

Further it is predicted that it is possible to isolate from nature and identify naturally occurring parent or wildtype subtilases, having improved wash performance in a detergent, as compared to BLSAVI, by specifically screening for such parent wildtype subtilases comprising at least one active site loop, which is longer than the corresponding active site loop in BLSAVI.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention relates to an isolated subtilase enzyme, having improved wash performance in a detergent, as compared to BLSAVI, having an amino acid sequence which is at least 40% identical to the amino acid sequence of the mature BLSAVI, and characterized by that at least one of the active site loops, in said isolated subtilase, is longer than the corresponding active site loop in BLSAVI, whereby such active site loops regions, in said isolated subtilase, is having the minimum amino acid length as specified from the group below comprising:

(a) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue from 33 to 43 is at least 11 amino acid long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI);

(b) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 95 to 103 is at least 9 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI);

(c) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 125 to 132 is at least 8 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI);

(d) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 153 to 173 is at least 21 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI);

(e) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 181 to 195 is at least 15 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI);

(f) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 202 to 204 is at least 3 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI); and

(g) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 218 to 219 is at least 3 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI).

In a second aspect the invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding a subtilase variant of the invention.

In a third aspect the invention relates to an expression vector comprising an isolated DNA sequence encoding a subtilase variant of the invention.

In a fourth aspect the invention relates to a microbial host cell transformed with an expression vector according to the fourth aspect.

In a further aspect the invention relates to the production of the subtilisin enzymes of the invention by inserting an expression vector according to the fourth aspect into a suitable microbial host, cultivating the host to express the desired subtilase enzyme, and recovering the enzyme product.

Further the invention relates to a composition comprising a subtilase variant of the invention.

Even further the invention relates to the use of the mutant enzymes for a number of industrial relevant uses, in particular for use in cleaning compositions and cleaning compositions comprising the mutant enzymes, especially detergent compositions comprising the mutant subtilisin enzymes.

Definitions

Prior to discussing this invention in further detail, the following term will first be defined.

NOMENCLATURE OF AMINO ACIDS A = Ala = Alanine V = Val = Valine L = Leu = Leucine I = Ile = Isoleucine P = Pro = Proline F = Phe = Phenylalanine W = Trp = Tryptophan M = Met = Methionine G = Gly = Glycine S = Ser = Serine T = Thr = Threonine C = Cys = Cysteine Y = Tyr = Tyrosine N = Asn = Asparagine Q = Gln = Glutamine D = Asp = Aspartic Acid E = Glu = Glutamic Acid K = Lys = Lysine R = Arg = Arginine H = His = Histidine X = Xaa = Any amino acid NOMENCLATURE OF NUCLEIC ACIDS A = Adenine G = Guanine C = Cytosine T = Thymine (only in DNA) U = Uracil (only in RNA) Nomenclature of Variants

In describing the various enzyme variants produced or contemplated according to the invention, the following nomenclatures have been adapted for ease of reference:

-   -   Original Amino Acid(s)-Position(s)-Substituted Amino Acid(s)

In the case when the original amino acid residue may be any amino acid residue, a short hand notation may at times be used indicating only the position and substituted amino acid,

-   -   Position-Substituted Amino Acid

Such a notation is particular relevant in connection with modification(s) in homologous subtilases (vide infra).

Similarly when the identity of the substituting amino acid residue(s) is immaterial,

-   -   Original Amino Acid-Position

When both the original amino acid(s) and substituted amino acid(s) may comprise any amino acid, then only the position(s) is indicated, e.g., 170.

When the original amino acid(s) and/or substituted amino acid(s) may comprise more than one, but not all amino acid(s), then the selected amino acids are indicated inside brackets {}.

-   -   Original Amino Acid-Position-{Substituted Amino Acid₁, . . . ,         Substituted Amino Acid_(n)}

For specific variants the specific three or one letter codes are used, including the codes Xaa and X to indicate any amino acid residue.

Substitutions:

The substitution of glutamic acid for glycine in position 195 is designated as:

-   -   Gly195Glu or G195E         or the substitution of any amino acid residue acid for glycine         in position 195 is designated as:     -   Glu195Xaa or G195X         or     -   Glu195 or G195

The substitution of serine for any amino acid residue in position 170 would thus be designated

-   -   Xaa170Ser or X170S.         or     -   170Ser or 170S

Such a notation is particular relevant in connection with modification(s) in homologous subtilases (vide infra). 170Ser is thus meant to comprise e.g. both a Lys170Ser modification in BASBPN and Arg170Ser modification in BLSAVI. See FIG. 1 in relation to these examples.

For a modification where the original amino acid(s) and/or substituted amino acid(s) may comprise more than one, but not all amino acid(s), the substitution of glycine, alanine, serine or threonine for arginine in position 170 would be indicated by

-   -   Arg170{Gly,Ala,Ser,Thr} or R170{G,A,S,T}         to indicate the variants     -   R170G, R170A, R170S, and R170T.         Deletions:

A deletion of glycine in position 195 will be indicated by:

-   -   Gly195* or G195*

Correspondingly the deletion of more than one amino acid residue, such as the deletion of glycine and leucine in positions 195 and 196 will be designated

-   -   Gly195*+Leu196* or G195*+L196*         Insertions:

The insertion of an additional amino acid residue such as e.g. a lysine after G195 is:

-   -   Gly195GlyLys or G195GK; or         when more than one amino acid residue is inserted, such as e.g.         a Lys, Ala and Ser after G195 this is:     -   Gly195GlyLysAlaSer or G195GKAS (SEQ ID NO: 1)

In such cases the inserted amino acid residue(s) are numbered by the addition of lower case letters to the position number of the amino acid residue preceding the inserted amino acid residue(s). In the above example the sequences 194 to 196 would thus be:

194 195 196 BLSAVI A - G - L (SEQ ID NO: 2) 194 195 195a 195b 195c 196 Variant A - G - K -  A -  S -  L

In cases where an amino acid residue identical to the existing amino acid residue is inserted it is clear that a kind of degeneracy in the nomenclature arises. If for example a glycine is inserted after the glycine in the above example this would be indicated by G195GG. The same actual change could just as well be indicated as A194AG for the change from

194 195 196 BLSAVI to A - G - L (SEQ ID NO: 3) 194 195 195a 196 Variant A - G - G -  L 194 194a 195 196

Such instances will be apparent to the skilled person, and the indication G195GG and corresponding indications for this type of insertions are thus meant to comprise such equivalent degenerate indications.

Filling a Gap:

Where a deletion in an enzyme exists in comparison to the subtilisin sequence used for the numbering, an insertion in such a position is indicated as:

-   -   *36Asp or *36D         for the insertion of an aspartic acid in position 36         Multiple Modifications

Variants comprising multiple modifications are separated by pluses, e.g.:

-   -   Arg170Tyr+Gly195Glu or R170Y+G195E         representing modifications in positions 170 and 195 substituting         tyrosine and glutamic acid for arginine and glycine,         respectively,         or e.g. Tyr167{Gly,Ala,Ser,Thr}+Arg170{Gly,Ala,Ser,Thr}         designates the variants     -   Tyr167Gly+Arg170Gly, Tyr167Gly+Arg170Ala,     -   Tyr167Gly+Arg170Ser, Tyr167Gly+Arg170Thr,     -   Tyr167Ala+Arg170Gly, Tyr167Ala+Arg170Ala,     -   Tyr167Ala+Arg170Ser, Tyr167Ala+Arg170Thr,     -   Tyr167Ser+Arg170Gly, Tyr167Ser+Arg170Ala,     -   Tyr167Ser+Arg170Ser, Tyr167Ser+Arg170Thr,     -   Tyr167Thr+Arg170Gly, Tyr167Thr+Arg170Ala,     -   Tyr167Thr+Arg170Ser, and Tyr167Thr+Arg170Thr.

This nomenclature is particular relevant relating to modifications aimed at substituting, replacing, inserting or deleting amino acid residues having specific common properties, such as residues of positive charge (K, R, H), negative charge (D, E), or conservative amino acid modification(s) of e.g. Tyr167{Gly,Ala,Ser,Thr}+Arg170{Gly,Ala,Ser,Thr}, which signifies substituting a small amino acid for another small amino acid. See section “Detailed description of the invention” for further details.

Proteases

Enzymes cleaving the amide linkages in protein substrates are classified as proteases, or (interchangeably) peptidases (see Walsh, 1979, Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms. W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, Chapter 3).

Numbering of Amino Acid Positions/Residues

Unless otherwise stated the amino acid numbering used herein correspond to that of the subtilase BPN′ (BASBPN) sequence. For further description of the BPN′ sequence see Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737 and FIG. 1.

Serine Proteases

A serine protease is an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds, and in which there is an essential serine residue at the active site (White, Handler and Smith, 1973 “Principles of Biochemistry,” Fifth Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY, pp. 271-272).

The bacterial serine proteases have molecular weights in the 20,000 to 45,000 Dalton range. They are inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate. They hydrolyze simple terminal esters and are similar in activity to eukaryotic chymotrypsin, also a serine protease. A more narrow term, alkaline protease, covering a sub-group, reflects the high pH optimum of some of the serine proteases, from pH 9.0 to 11.0 (for review, see Priest (1977) Bacteriological Rev. 41 711-753).

Subtilases

A sub-group of the serine proteases tentatively designated subtilases has been proposed by Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737. They are defined by homology analysis of more than 40 amino acid sequences of serine proteases previously referred to as subtilisin-like proteases. A subtilisin was previously defined as a serine protease produced by Gram-positive bacteria or fungi, and according to Siezen et al. now is a subgroup of the subtilases. A wide variety of subtilases have been identified, and the amino acid sequences of a number of subtilases have been determined. For a more detailed description of such subtilases and their amino acid sequences reference is made to Siezen et al. and FIG. 1 herein.

One subgroup of the subtilases, I-S1, comprises the “classical” subtilisins, such as subtilisin 168, subtilisin BPN′, subtilisin Carlsberg (ALCALASE®, NOVO NORDISK A/S), and subtilisin DY.

A further subgroup of the subtilases, I-S2, is recognized by Siezen et al. (supra). Sub-group I-S2 proteases are described as highly alkaline subtilisins and comprise enzymes such as subtilisin PB92 (MAXACAL®, Gist-Brocades NV), subtilisin 309 (SAVINASE®, NOVO NORDISK A/S), subtilisin 147 (ESPERASE®, NOVO NORDISK A/S), and alkaline elastase YaB.

“SAVINASE®”

SAVINASE® is marketed by NOVO NORDISK A/S. It is subtilisin 309 from B. lentus and differs from BABP92 only in one position (N87S, see FIG. 1 herein). SAVINASE® has the amino acid sequence designated BLSAVI (see FIG. 1 herein).

Parent Subtilase

The term “parent subtilase” is a subtilase defined according to Siezen et al. (Protein Engineering 4:719-737 (1991)). For further details see description of “SUBTILASES” immediately above. A parent subtilase may also be a subtilase isolated from a natural source, wherein subsequent modification have been made while retaining the characteristic of a subtilase.

Alternatively the term “parent subtilase” may be termed “wild-type subtilase”.

Modification(s) of a Subtilase Variant

The term “modification(s)” used in connection with modification(s) of a subtilase variant as discussed herein is defined to include chemical modification as well as genetic manipulation. The modification(s) can be by substitution, deletion and/or insertions in or at the amino acid(s) of interest.

Subtilase Variant

In the context of this invention, the term subtilase variant or mutated subtilase means a subtilase that has been produced by an organism which is expressing a mutant gene derived from a parent microorganism which possessed an original or parent gene and which produced a corresponding parent enzyme, the parent gene having been mutated in order to produce the mutant gene from which said mutated subtilase protease is produced when expressed in a suitable host.

Homologous Subtilase Sequences

Specific active site loop regions, and amino acid insertions in said loops of the subtilase SAVINASE® are identified for modification herein to obtain a subtilase variant of the invention.

However, the invention is not limited to modifications of this particular subtilase, but extend to other parent (wild-type) subtilases, which have a homologous primary structure to that of SAVINASE®.

In order to identify other homologous subtilases, within the scope of this invention, an alignment of said subtilase(s) to a group of previously aligned subtilases is performed keeping the previous alignment constant. A comparison to 18 highly conserved residues in subtilases is performed. The 18 highly conserved residues are shown in table I (see Siezen et al. for further details relating to said conserved residues).

TABLE I 18 highly conserved residues in subtilases Position: Conserved residue 23 G 32 D 34 G 39 H 64 H 65 G 66 T 70 G 83 G 125 S 127 G 146 G 154 G 155 N 219 G 220 T 221 S 225 P

After aligning allowing for necessary insertions and deletions in order to maintain the alignment suitable homologous active site loop regions are identified. Said homologous residues can then be modified according to the invention.

Using the CLUSTALW (version 1.7, June 1997) computer alignment program (Thompson, J. D., Higgins, D. G. and Gibson, T. J. (1994) Nucleic Acids Research, 22:4673-4680.), using default alignment parameters, alignment of a given subtilase to a group of previously aligned subtilases is achieved using the Profile alignments option in the program. For a given subtilase to be within the scope of the invention, preferably 100% of the 18 highly conserved residues should be conserved. However, alignment of greater than or equal to 17 out of the 18 residues, or as little as 16 of said conserved residues is also adequate to identify homologous residues. Conservation of the, in subtilases, catalytic triad Asp32/His64/Ser221 should be maintained.

An alignment of 10 subtilases as defined is shown in FIG. 1.

Further in said process to identify a homologous parent (wild-type) subtilase within the scope of the invention, the 18 conserved residues above relates to the parent (wild-type) primary sequence of said homologous parent subtilase. In other words, if a parent subtilase has been modified in any of said 18 conserved residues above, it is the original parent wild-type sequence in said 18 conserved residues, which determines whether or not both the original parent subtilase and a possible variant of said parent subtilase, which is modified in any of said 18 conserved residues above, is a homologous subtilase within the scope of the present invention.

Based on this description it is routine for a person skilled in the art to identify suitable homologous subtilases and corresponding homologous active site loop regions, which can be modified according to the invention.

Wash Performance

The ability of an enzyme to catalyze the degradation of various naturally occurring substrates present on the objects to be cleaned during e.g. wash is often referred to as its washing ability, wash-ability, detergency, or wash performance. Throughout this application the term wash performance will be used to encompass this property.

Isolated DNA Sequence

The term “isolated”, when applied to a DNA sequence molecule, denotes that the DNA sequence has been removed from its natural genetic milieu and is thus free of other extraneous or unwanted coding sequences, and is in a form suitable for use within genetically engineered protein production systems. Such isolated molecules are those that are separated from their natural environment and include cDNA and genomic clones. Isolated DNA molecules of the present invention are free of other genes with which they are ordinarily associated, but may include naturally occurring 5′and 3′ untranslated regions such as promoters and terminators. The identification of associated regions will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example, Dynan and Tijan, Nature 316:774-78, 1985). The term “an isolated DNA sequence” may alternatively be termed “a cloned DNA sequence”.

Isolated Protein

When applied to a protein, the term “isolated” indicates that the protein is found in a condition other than its native environment. In a preferred form, the isolated protein is substantially free of other proteins, particularly other homologous proteins (i.e. “homologous impurities” (see below)). An isolated protein is more than 10% pure, preferably more than 20% pure, more preferably more than 30% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Further it is preferred to provide the protein in a highly purified form, i.e., more than 40% pure, more than 60% pure, more than 80% pure, more preferably more than 95% pure, and even more preferably more than 99% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

The term “isolated protein” may alternatively be termed “purified protein”.

Homologous Impurities

The term “homologous impurities” means any impurity (e.g. another polypeptide than the polypeptide of the invention) which originate from the homologous cell where the polypeptide of the invention is originally obtained from.

Obtained From

The term “obtained from” as used herein in connection with a specific microbial source, means that the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide produced by the specific source, or by a cell in which a gene from the source have been inserted.

Substrate

The term “Substrate” used in connection with a substrate for a protease should be interpreted in its broadest form as comprising a compound containing at least one peptide bond susceptible to hydrolysis by a protease.

Product

The term “product” used in connection with a product derived from a protease enzymatic reaction should in the context of this invention be interpreted to include the products of a hydrolysis reaction involving a subtilase protease. A product may be the substrate in a subsequent hydrolysis reaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an alignment of 10 homologous subtilases, which are aligned to the above mentioned 18 highly conserved residues in subtilases, wherein

BASBPN denotes the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin BPN′ set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4,

BLS147 denotes the Bacillus lentus subtilisin 147 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5,

BYSYAB denotes the Bacillus subtilisin YAB set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6,

BAPBP92 denotes the Bacillus alcalophilus subtilisin PB92 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7,

BSSDY denotes the Bacillus subtilis subtilisin DY set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8,

TVTHER denotes the Thermoactinomyces vulgaris subtilisin set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9,

BLSAVI denotes the Bacillus lentus subtilisin 309 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10,

BSSPI denotes the Bacillus subtilis subtilisin set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11,

BSEPR denotes the Bacillus subtilis subtilisin set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, and

JP170 denotes the Bacillus subtilis subtilisin set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13.

The 18 highly conserved residues are highlighted in bold. All shown subtilases, except JP170, have 100% identity in said conserved residues. JP170 has an asparagine “N” in position 146 instead of the conserved glycine residue “G”.

FIG. 2 shows an alignment of three Savinase variants of the invention with the alignment shown in FIG. 1. Each of the variants 37.03, 37.04 and 37.06 (SEQ ID NOS: 14-16) is aligned individually with the alignment of FIG. 1. All three variants are shown in one figure for brevity.

FIG. 3 shows the three-dimensional structure of Savinase (Protein data bank (PDB) entry 1SVN). In this figure the active site loops of interest herein are indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Subtilase Enzymes with Improved Wash Performance:

The subtilases of the invention are generally described in the section Summary of the Invention.

A subtilase of the first aspect of the invention may be a parent wild-type subtilase identified in nature.

Such a parent wild-type subtilase may be specifically screened for by standard techniques known in the art.

One preferred way of doing this may be by specifically PCR amplify DNA regions known to encode active site loops in subtilases from numerous different microorganism, preferably different Bacillus strains.

Subtilases are a group of conserved enzymes, in the sense that their DNA and amino acid sequences are homologous. Accordingly it is possible to construct relatively specific primers flanking active site loops.

E.g. by investigating alignment of different subtilases (see e.g. Siezen et al. Protein Science 6:501-523 (1997)), it is routine work for a person skilled in the art to construct PCR primers flanking e.g. the active site loop corresponding to active site loop between amino acid residue 95 to 103 in BLSAVI. Using those PCR primers to amplify DNA from a number of different microorganisms, preferably different Bacillus strains, followed by DNA sequencing said amplified PCR fragments, it will be possible to identify those strains which produce subtilases, which comprises a longer, as compared to BLSAVI, active site region corresponding the active site region of 95-103 in BLSAVI. Having identified the strain and a partial DNA sequence of such a subtilase of interest, it is routine work for a person skilled in the art to complete cloning, expression and purification of such a subtilase of interest.

However, it is envisaged that a subtilase enzyme of the invention predominantly is a variant of a parent subtilase.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention relates to a isolated subtilase enzyme according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said subtilase enzyme is a constructed variant, wherein said variant comprises at least one insertion of at least one amino acid within at least one of the active site loops according to the first aspect of the invention.

A subtilase enzyme of the invention exhibits improved wash performance, as compared to BLSAVI (Savinase®), in a detergent. Different commercial subtilase protease products will exhibit a different wash performance in different kinds of detergent compositions. A subtilase of the invention exhibits improved wash performance, as compared to BLSAVI, in a majority of different kinds of detergent compositions.

Preferably a subtilase enzyme of the invention exhibits improved wash performance, as compared to BLSAVI, in the detergent composition shown in working example 3 herein (vide infra).

In order to identify whether or not a given subtilase amino acid sequence (independent of whether said subtilase sequence is a wild type subtilase sequence isolated from nature or a subtilase variant sequence) is within the scope of a subtilase sequence of the invention, the following steps may to be performed:

i) identify if said subtilase sequence is at least 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% identical to the amino acid sequence from position 1 to position 275 of subtilase BLSAVI (in BASBPN numbering);

ii) if step i) is fulfilled, perform an alignment of said subtilase sequence to the previously defined alignment of subtilases specified in FIG. 1 (see section “Definitions herein (vide supra) in order to see how this alignment preferably must be performed);

iii) based on the alignment performed in step ii) identify the active site loops, in said subtilase sequence, which correspond to the active site loop regions in BLSAVI, wherein said active site loops are specified as (in BASBPN as (in BASBPN numbering)

-   -   (a) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue from 33 to 43;     -   (b) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 95 to 103;     -   (c) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 125 to 132;     -   (d) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 153 to 173;     -   (e) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 181 to 195;     -   (f) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 202 to 204; and     -   (g) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between         amino acid residue 218 to 219;

iv) identify whether or not one or more of the active site loops in said subtilase sequence, identified in step iii) is longer than the corresponding active site loop in BLSAVI.

If one the criteria in step iv) above is fulfilled the given subtilase sequence is a subtilase sequence within the scope of the present invention.

The identity specified in step i) above between a subtilase of the invention and BLSAVI is calculated as described immediately below.

Identity of Amino Acid Sequences of a Subtilase of the Invention to BLSAVI.

The polypeptide identity referred to above is determined as the degree of identity between the two sequences indicating a derivation of the first sequence from the second. The identity may suitably be determined by means of computer programs known in the art such as GAP provided in the GCG program package (Program Manual for the Wisconsin Package, Version 8, August 1994, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711) (Needleman, S. B. and Wunsch, C. D., (1970), Journal of Molecular Biology, 48, 443-453. Using GAP with the following settings for polypeptide sequence comparison: GAP creation penalty of 3.0 and GAP extension penalty of 0.1, the mature part of a subtilase amino acid sequence of the invention exhibits a degree of identity of at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% with the mature part of the amino acid sequence of BLSAVI from position 1 to position 275 (in BASBPN numbering). Accordingly, the identity will be defined as the number of identical residues divided by 269 (BLSSAVI mature part has 269 amino acids.)

The alignment to be performed in step ii) above is performed as described immediately below:

Alignment of a Subtilase Amino Acid of the Invention to a Previously Defined Alignment of Homologous Subtilase Sequences (Step Ii) above), and Identification of Suitable Homologous Active Site Loops, in Said Subtilase, which Correspond to the Active Site Loop Regions in BLSAVI (Step iii) above).

In order to identify other homologous subtilases, within the scope of this invention, an alignment of said subtilase(s) to a group of previously aligned subtilases is performed keeping the previous alignment constant (step ii) above).

Using the CLUSTALW (version 1.7, June 1997) computer alignment program (Thompson, J. D., Higgins, D. G. and Gibson, T. J. (1994) Nucleic Acids Research, 22:4673-4680), using default alignment parameters, alignment of a given subtilase to a group of previously aligned subtilases is achieved using the Profile alignments option in the program. Conservation of the, in subtilases, catalytic triad Asp32/His64/Ser221 should be maintained.

The above defined alignment of a group of subtilases is shown FIG. 1.

After aligning allowing for necessary insertions and deletions in order to maintain the alignment suitable homologous active site loops, in said subtilase of the invention are identified as described in step iii) above.

Based on this description it is routine for a person skilled in the art to identify suitable homologous subtilases and corresponding homologous suitable homologous active site loops, in said subtilase.

A preferred active site loop of a subtilase of the invention as described are the loops defined as

(b) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 95 to 103 is at least 10 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI); and

(c) the region (both of the end amino acids included) between amino acid residue 125 to 132 is at least 9 amino acids long (i.e. at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI).

A subtilase variant may be constructed by standard techniques known in the art such as by site-directed/random mutagenesis or by DNA shuffling of different subtilase sequences. See section “PRODUCING A SUBTILASE VARIANT” and Material and methods herein (vide infra) for further details.

In further embodiments the invention relates to

-   1. an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein     at least one of said inserted amino acid residue is chosen from the     group comprising: T, G, A, and S; -   2. an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein     at least one of said inserted amino acid residue is chosen from the     group of charged amino acid residues comprising: D, E, H, K, and R,     more preferably D, E, K and R; -   3. an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein     at least one of said inserted amino acid residue is chosen from the     group of hydrophilic amino acid residues comprising: C, N, Q, S and     T, more preferably N, Q, S and T; -   4. an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein     at least one of said inserted amino acid residue is chosen from the     group of small hydrophobic amino acid residues comprising: A, G and     V; or -   5. an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein     at least one of said inserted amino acid residue is chosen from the     group of large hydrophilic amino acid residues comprising: F, I, L,     M, P, W and Y, more preferably F, I, L, M, and Y.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein said insertion, in at least one of the active site loops, comprises at least two amino acids, as compared to the corresponding active site loop in BLSAVI.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein the subtilase enzyme is comprising at least one insertion, chosen from the group comprising (in BASBPN numbering):

G97GASG;

G97GM; and

G97GAS;

and an isolated subtilase enzyme according to the invention, wherein the subtilase enzyme comprises at least one insertion/modification, chosen from the group comprising (in BASBPN numbering):

37.03: G97GASG+A98S+S99G+G100A+S101A;

37.06: G97GAA+A98S+S99G+S101T; and

37.04: G97GAS+A98S+S99G.

An alignment of residues 91 to 107 of the three latter variants is shown in FIG. 2.

It is well known in the art that substitution of one amino acid to a similar conservative amino acid most often only provide minor changes in the characteristic of the enzyme.

Table II below list groups of conservative amino acids.

TABLE II Conservative amino acid substitutions Basic: R = arginine K = lysine H = histidine Acidic: E = glutamic acid D = aspartic acid Polar: Q = glutamine N = asparagine Hydrophobic: L = leucine I = isoleucine V = valine M = methionine Aromatic: F = phenylalanine W = tryptophan Y = tyrosine Small: G = glycine A = alanine S = serine T = threonine

Accordingly, subtilase variants such as G97GGG+A98S+S99G, are expected to exhibit a similar wash-performance improvement as the variant G97GAA+A98S+S99G. See e.g. working examples herein for a specific wash performance test of said G97GM+A98S+S99G variant.

Based on the disclosed and in particular the exemplified subtilase variants herein, it is routine work, for a person skilled in the art, to identify further suitable conservative modification(s), of in particular said exemplified variants, in order to obtain a subtilase variant with improved wash-performance, according to all aspects and embodiments of the invention.

In embodiments of the invention, the subtilases of interest are preferably those belonging to the subgroups I-S1 and I-S2.

Relating to subgroup I-S1 a preferred parent subtilase is chosen from the group comprising ABSS168, BASBPN, BSSDY, and BLSCAR or functional variants thereof having retained the characteristic of sub-group I-S1.

Relating to subgroup I-S2 a preferred parent subtilase is chosen from the group comprising BLS147, BLSAVI, BLS309, BAPB92, TVTHER AND BYSYAB or functional variants thereof having retained the characteristic of sub-group I-S2.

In particular said parent subtilase is BLSAVI (SAVINASE® NOVO NORDISK A/S) or subtilases having an identity of 95% or more thereto, and a preferred subtilase variant of the invention is accordingly a variant of SAVINASE® or subtilases having an identity of 95% or more thereto.

The present invention also comprises any one or more modifications in the above mentioned positions in combination with any other modification to the amino acid sequence of the parent enzyme. Especially combinations with other modifications known in the art to provide improved properties to the enzyme are envisaged. The art describes a number of subtilase variants with different improved properties and a number of those are mentioned in the “Background of the invention” section herein (vide supra). Those references are disclosed here as references to identify a subtilase variant, which advantageously can be combined with a subtilase variant of the invention.

Such combinations comprise the positions: 222 (improve oxidation stability), 218 (improves thermal stability), substitutions in the Ca-binding sites stabilizing the enzyme, e.g. position 76, and many other apparent from the prior art.

In further embodiments a subtilase variant of the invention may advantageously be combined with one or more modification(s) in any of the positions:

-   27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 167, 170, 206, 218, 222,     224, 235 and 274.

Specifically the following BLS309 and BAPB92 variants are considered appropriate for combination:

-   K27R, *36D, S57P, N76D, S87N, G97N, S101G, S103A, V104A, V104I,     V104N, V104Y, H120D, N123S, Y167, R170, Q206E, N218S, M222A, M222S,     T224S, K235L and T274A.

Furthermore variants comprising any of the variants K27R+V104Y+N123S+T274A, N76D+S103A+V104I, N76D+V104A, S87N+S101G+V104N, S101G+V104N, or other combinations of these mutations (K27R, N76D, S101G, V104A, V104N, V104Y, N123S, T274A), in combination with any one or more of the modification(s) mentioned above exhibit improved properties.

Even further subtilase variants of the main aspect(s) of the invention are preferably combined with one or more modification(s) in any of the positions 129, 131, 133 and 194, preferably as 129K, 131H, 133P, 133D and 194P modifications, and most preferably as P129K, P131H, A133P, A133D and A194P modifications. Any of those modification(s) give a higher expression level of a subtilase variant of the invention.

Accordingly, an even further embodiment of the invention relates to a variant according to the invention, wherein said modification is chosen from the group comprising:

Y167A+R170S+A194P

Y167A+R170L+A194P

Y167A+R170N+A194P

Y167A+R170S+P129K

Y167A+R170L+P129K

Y167A+R170N+P129K

Y167A+R170S+P131H

Y167A+R170L+P131H

Y167A+R170N+P131H

Y167A+R170S+A133P

Y167A+R170L+A133P

Y167A+R170N+A133P

Y167A+R170S+A133D

Y167A+R170L+A133D

Y167A+R170N+A133D

Producing a Subtilase Variant

Many methods for cloning a subtilase of the invention and for introducing insertions into genes (e.g. subtilase genes) are well known in the art.

In general standard procedures for cloning of genes and introducing insertions (random and/or site directed) into said genes may be used in order to obtain a subtilase variant of the invention. For further description of suitable techniques reference is made to working examples herein (vide infra) and (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.) “Current protocols in Molecular Biology”. John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C. R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.) “Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus”. John Wiley and Sons, 1990); and WO 96/34946.

Further a subtilase variant of the invention may be constructed by standard techniques of DNA shuffling of different subtilase genes (WO 95/22625; Stemmer WPC, Nature 370:389-91 (1994)). DNA shuffling of e.g. Savinase® with one or more partial subtilase sequences identified in nature to comprise longer than Savinase® active site loops regions, will after subsequent screening for improved wash performance variants, provide subtilase variants according to the invention.

Expression Vectors

A recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA construct encoding the enzyme of the invention may be any vector which may conveniently be subjected to recombinant DNA procedures, and the choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it is to be introduced. Thus, the vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e. a vector which exists is as an extrachromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g. a plasmid. Alternatively, the vector may be one which, when introduced into a host cell, is integrated into the host cell genome in part or in its entirety and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated.

The vector is preferably an expression vector in which the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme of the invention is operably linked to additional segments required for transcription of the DNA. In general, the expression vector is derived from plasmid or viral DNA, or may contain elements of both. The term, “operably linked” indicates that the segments are arranged so that they function in concert for their intended purposes, e.g. transcription initiates in a promoter and proceeds through the DNA sequence coding for the enzyme.

The promoter may be any DNA sequence which shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

Examples of suitable promoters for use in bacterial host cells include the promoter of the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene, the Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase gene, the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase gene, the Bacillus subtilis alkaline protease gene, or the Bacillus pumilus xylosidase gene, or the phage Lambda PR or PL promoters or the E. coli lac, trp or tac promoters.

The DNA sequence encoding the enzyme of the invention may also, if necessary, be operably connected to a suitable terminator.

The recombinant vector of the invention may further comprise a DNA sequence enabling the vector to replicate in the host cell in question.

The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, e.g. a gene the product of which complements a defect in the host cell, or a gene encoding resistance to e.g. antibiotics like kanamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycine, or the like, or resistance to heavy metals or herbicides.

To direct an enzyme of the present invention into the secretory pathway of the host cells, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence, pre-pro sequence or pre sequence) may be provided in the recombinant vector. The secretory signal sequence is joined to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme in the correct reading frame. Secretory signal sequences are commonly positioned 5′ to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme. The secretory signal sequence may be that normally associated with the enzyme or may be from a gene encoding another secreted protein.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA sequences coding for the present enzyme, the promoter and optionally the terminator and/or secretory signal sequence, respectively, or to assemble these sequences by suitable PCR amplification schemes, and to insert them into suitable vectors containing the information necessary for replication or integration, are well known to persons skilled in the art (cf., for instance, Sambrook et al., op.cit.).

Host Cell

The DNA sequence encoding the present enzyme introduced into the host cell may be either homologous or heterologous to the host in question. If homologous to the host cell, i.e. produced by the host cell in nature, it will typically be operably connected to another promoter sequence or, if applicable, another secretory signal sequence and/or terminator sequence than in its natural environment. The term “homologous” is intended to include a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme native to the host organism in question. The term “heterologous” is intended to include a DNA sequence not expressed by the host cell in nature. Thus, the DNA sequence may be from another organism, or it may be a synthetic sequence.

The host cell into which the DNA construct or the recombinant vector of the invention is introduced may be any cell which is capable of producing the present enzyme and includes bacteria, yeast, fungi and higher eukaryotic cells.

Examples of bacterial host cells which, on cultivation, are capable of producing the enzyme of the invention are gram-positive bacteria such as strains of Bacillus, such as strains of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. lentus, B. brevis, B. stearothermophilus, B. alkalophilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. lautus, B. megatherium or B. thuringiensis, or strains of Streptomyces, such as S. lividans or S. murinus, or gram-negative bacteria such as Echerichia coli. The transformation of the bacteria may be effected by protoplast transformation, electroporation, conjugation, or by using competent cells in a manner known per se (cf. Sambrook et al., supra).

When expressing the enzyme in bacteria such as E. coli, the enzyme may be retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules (known as inclusion bodies), or may be directed to the periplasmic space by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the former case, the cells are lysed and the granules are recovered and denatured after which the enzyme is refolded by diluting the denaturing agent. In the latter case, the enzyme may be recovered from the periplasmic space by disrupting the cells, e.g. by sonication or osmotic shock, to release the contents of the periplasmic space and recovering the enzyme.

When expressing the enzyme in gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus or Streptomyces strains, the enzyme may be retained in the cytoplasm, or may be directed to the extracellular medium by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the latter case, the enzyme may be recovered from the medium as described below.

Method of Producing Subtilase

The present invention provides a method of producing an isolated enzyme according to the invention, wherein a suitable host cell, which has been transformed with a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme, is cultured under conditions permitting the production of the enzyme, and the resulting enzyme is recovered from the culture.

When an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme is transformed into a heterologous host cell it is possible to enable heterologous recombinant production of the enzyme of the invention.

Thereby it is possible to make a highly purified subtilase composition, characterized in being free from homologous impurities.

In this context, homologous impurities mean any impurities (e.g. other polypeptides than the enzyme of the invention) which originate from the homologous cell where the enzyme of the invention is originally obtained from.

The medium used to culture the transformed host cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cells in question. The expressed subtilase may conveniently be secreted into the culture medium and may be recovered therefrom by well-known procedures including separating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a salt such as ammonium sulfate, followed by chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

Use of a Subtilase Variant of the Invention

A subtilase protease variant of the invention may be used for a number of industrial applications, in particular within the detergent industry.

Further the invention relates to an enzyme composition, which comprises a subtilase variant of the invention.

A summary of preferred industrial applications and corresponding preferred enzyme, compositions are described below.

This summary is not in any way intended to be a complete list of suitable applications of a subtilase variant of the invention. A subtilase variant of the invention may be used in other industrial applications known in the art to include use of a protease, in particular a subtilase.

Detergent Compositions Comprising the Mutant Enzymes

The present invention comprises the use of the mutant enzymes of the invention in cleaning and detergent compositions and such compositions comprising the mutant subtilisin enzymes. Such cleaning and detergent compositions are well described in the art and reference is made to WO 96/34946; WO 97/07202; WO 95/30011 for further description of suitable cleaning and detergent compositions.

Further reference is made to workings example(s) herein showing wash performance improvements for a number of subtilase variants of the invention.

Surfactant System

The detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant can be selected from nonionic and/or anionic and/or cationic and/or ampholytic and/or zwitterionic and/or semi-polar surfactants.

The surfactant is typically present at a level from 0.1% to 60% by weight.

The surfactant is preferably formulated to be compatible with enzyme components present in the composition. In liquid or gel compositions the surfactant is most preferably formulated in such a way that it promotes, or at least does not degrade, the stability of any enzyme in these compositions.

Preferred systems to be used according to the present invention comprise as a surfactant one or more of the nonionic and/or anionic surfactants described herein.

Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols are suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention, with the polyethylene oxide condensates being preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched-chain configuration with the alkylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is present in an amount equal to from about 2 to about 25 moles, more preferably from about 3 to about 15 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal™ CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; and Triton™ X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102, all marketed by the Rohm & Haas Company. These surfactants are commonly referred to as alkylphenol alkoxylates (e.g., alkyl phenol ethoxylates).

The condensation products of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. About 2 to about 7 moles of ethylene oxide and most preferably from 2 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol are present in said condensation products. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Tergitol™ 15-S-9 (The condensation product of C₁₁-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), Tergitol™ 24-L-6 NMW (the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohol with 6 moles ethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; Neodol™ 45-9 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 23-3 (the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₃ linear alcohol with 3.0 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 45-7 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 45-5 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketed by Shell Chemical Company, Kyro™ EOB (the condensation product of C₁₃-C₁₅ alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company, and Genapol LA 050 (the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₄ alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketed by Hoechst. Preferred range of HLB in these products is from 8-11 and most preferred from 8-10.

Also useful as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are alkylpolysaccharides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647, having a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g. a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties (optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside). The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6-positions on the preceding saccharide units.

The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula R²O(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(t)(glycosyl)_(x) wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6-position, preferably predominantly the 2-position.

The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are also suitable for use as the additional nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight from about 1500 to about 1800 and will exhibit water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially available Pluronic™ surfactants, marketed by BASF.

Also suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention, are the condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available Tetronic™ compounds, marketed by BASF.

Preferred for use as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, condensation products of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide, alkylpolysaccharides, and mixtures hereof. Most preferred are C₈-C₁₄ alkyl phenol ethoxylates having from 3 to 15 ethoxy groups and C₈-C₁₈ alcohol ethoxylates (preferably C₁₀ avg.) having from 2 to 10 ethoxy groups, and mixtures thereof.

Highly preferred nonionic surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants of the formula

wherein R¹ is H, or R¹ is C₁₋₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl or a mixture thereof, R² is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. Preferably, R¹ is methyl, R² is straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl or C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof, and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose, maltose or lactose, in a reductive amination reaction.

Highly preferred anionic surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactants. Examples hereof are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A)_(m)SO3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C₁₀-C-₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl component, preferably a C₁₂-C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl, trimethyl-ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperidinium cations and those derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(1.0)M), C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate (C₁₂-C₁₈(2.25)M, and C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(3.0)M), and C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Suitable anionic surfactants to be used are alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants including linear esters of C₈-C₂₀ carboxylic acids (i.e., fatty acids) which are sulfonated with gaseous SO₃ according to “The Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society”, 52 (1975), pp. 323-329. Suitable starting materials would include natural fatty substances as derived from tallow, palm oil, etc.

The preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant, especially for laundry applications, comprise alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural formula:

wherein R³ is a C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R⁴ is a C₁-C₆ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, and M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate. Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cations, such as monoethanolamine, diethonolamine, and triethanolamine. Preferably, R³ is C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl, and R⁴ is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. Especially preferred are the methyl ester sulfonates wherein R³ is C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl.

Other suitable anionic surfactants include the alkyl sulfate surfactants which are water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO₃M wherein R preferably is a C₁₀-C₂₄ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl component, more preferably a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g. methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperidinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like). Typically, alkyl chains of C₁₂-C₁₆ are preferred for lower wash temperatures (e.g. below about 50° C.) and C₁₆-C₁₈ alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g. above about 50° C.).

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. Theses can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₈-C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates, C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) and diesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₂ diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic non-sulfated compounds being described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, and alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(k)—CH₂COO-M+ wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 1 to 10, and M is a soluble salt forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.

Alkylbenzene sulfonates are highly preferred. Especially preferred are linear (straight-chain) alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) wherein the alkyl group preferably contains from 10 to 18 carbon atoms.

Further examples are described in “Surface Active Agents and Detergents” (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perrry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 (column 23, line 58 through column 29, line 23, herein incorporated by reference).

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 1% to about 40%, preferably from about 3% to about 20% by weight of such anionic surfactants.

The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, and semi-polar surfactants, as well as the nonionic and/or anionic surfactants other than those already described herein.

Cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having one long-chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula:

 [R²(OR³)_(y)][R⁴(OR³)_(y)]₂R⁵N+X−

wherein R² is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R³ is selected form the group consisting of —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —CH₂CH(CH₂OH)—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, —CH₂CHOHCHOHCOR⁶CHOHCH₂OH, wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain, wherein the total number of carbon atoms or R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10, and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

Highly preferred cationic surfactants are the water soluble quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present composition having the formula: R₁R₂R₃R₄N⁺X⁻  (i) wherein R₁ is C₈-C₁₆ alkyl, each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄hydroxy alkyl, benzyl, and —(C₂H₄₀)_(x)H where x has a value from 2 to 5, and X is an anion. Not more than one of R₂, R₃ or R₄ should be benzyl.

The preferred alkyl chain length for R₁ is C₁₂-C₁₅, particularly where the alkyl group is a mixture of chain lengths derived from coconut or palm kernel fat or is derived synthetically by olefin build up or OXO alcohols synthesis.

Preferred groups for R₂R₃ and R₄ are methyl and hydroxyethyl groups and the anion X may be selected from halide, methosulfate, acetate and phosphate ions.

Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of formulae (i) for use herein are:

-   coconut trimethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   coconut methyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   decyl triethyl ammonium chloride; -   decyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   C₁₂₋₁₅ dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   coconut dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   myristyl trimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; -   lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or bromide; -   lauryl dimethyl (ethenoxy)₄ ammonium chloride or bromide; -   choline esters (compounds of formula (i) wherein R₁ is -    alkyl and R₂R₃R₄ are methyl). -   di-alkyl imidazolines [compounds of formula (i)].

Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,044 and in EP 000 224.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 25%, preferably from about 1% to about 8% by weight of such cationic surfactants.

Ampholytic surfactants are also suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched-chain. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g. carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 (column 19, lines 18-35) for examples of ampholytic surfactants.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such ampholytic surfactants.

Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 (column 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48) for examples of zwitterionic surfactants.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such zwitterionic surfactants.

Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.

Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula:

wherein R³ is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to about 3: and each R⁵ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. The R⁵ groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.

These amine oxide surfactants in particular include C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such semi-polar nonionic surfactants.

Builder System

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a builder system. Any conventional builder system is suitable for use herein including aluminosilicate materials, silicates, polycarboxylates and fatty acids, materials such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate, metal ion sequestrants such as aminopolyphosphonates, particularly ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid and diethylene triamine pentamethylenephosphonic acid. Though less preferred for obvious environmental reasons, phosphate builders can also be used herein.

Suitable builders can be an inorganic ion exchange material, commonly an inorganic hydrated aluminosilicate material, more particularly a hydrated synthetic zeolite such as hydrated zeolite A, X, B, HS or MAP.

Another suitable inorganic builder material is layered silicate, e.g. SKS-6 (Hoechst). SKS-6 is a crystalline layered silicate consisting of sodium silicate (Na₂Si₂O₅).

Suitable polycarboxylates containing one carboxy group include lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof as disclosed in Belgian Patent Nos. 831,368, 821,369 and 821,370. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycollic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates described in German Offenlegungsschrift 2,446,686, and 2,446,487, U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,257 and the sulfinyl carboxylates described in Belgian Patent No. 840,623. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,379,241, lactoxysuccinates described in Netherlands Application 7205873, and the oxypolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane tricarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,447.

Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2,-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,082,179, while polycarboxylates containing phosphone substituents are is disclosed in British Patent No. 1,439,000.

Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis,cis-cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-furan-cis,cis,cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydro-furan-cis-discarboxylates, 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofuran-tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane-hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,425,343.

Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxy-carboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.

Preferred builder systems for use in the present compositions include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate builder such as zeolite A or of a layered silicate (SKS-6), and a water-soluble carboxylate chelating agent such as citric acid.

A suitable chelant for inclusion in the detergent compositions in accordance with the invention is ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt thereof. Examples of such preferred sodium salts of EDDS include Na₂EDDS and Na₄EDDS. Examples of such preferred magnesium salts of EDDS include MgEDDS and Mg₂EDDS. The magnesium salts are the most preferred for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention.

Preferred builder systems include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate builder such as zeolite A, and a water soluble carboxylate chelating agent such as citric acid.

Other builder materials that can form part of the builder system for use in granular compositions include inorganic materials such as alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, and organic materials such as the organic phosphonates, amino polyalkylene phosphonates and amino polycarboxylates.

Other suitable water-soluble organic salts are the homo- or co-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated form each other by not more than two carbon atoms.

Polymers of this type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of MW 2000-5000 and their copolymers with maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 70,000, especially about 40,000.

Detergency builder salts are normally included in amounts of from 5% to 80% by weight of the composition. Preferred levels of builder for liquid detergents are from 5% to 30%.

Enzymes

Preferred detergent compositions, in addition to the enzyme preparation of the invention, comprise other enzyme(s) which provides cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits.

Such enzymes include other proteases, lipases, cutinases, amylases, cellulases, peroxidases, oxidases (e.g. laccases).

Proteases: Any other protease suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable or microbial origin. Microbial origin is preferred. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included. The protease may be a serine protease, preferably an alkaline microbial protease or a trypsin-like protease. Examples of alkaline proteases are subtilisins, especially those derived from Bacillus, e.g., subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168 (described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-like proteases are trypsin (e.g. of porcine or bovine origin) and the Fusarium protease described in WO 89/06270.

Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), those sold under the trade names Maxatase, Maxacal, Maxapem, Properase, Purafect and Purafect OXP by Genencor International, and those sold under the trade names Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Protease enzymes may be incorporated into the compositions in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level of from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Lipases: Any lipase suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable lipases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included.

Examples of useful lipases include a Humicola lanuginosa lipase, e.g., as described in EP 258 068 and EP 305 216, a Rhizomucor miehei lipase, e.g., as described in EP 238 023, a Candida lipase, such as a C. antarctica lipase, e.g., the C. antarctica lipase A or B described in EP 214 761, a Pseudomonas lipase such as a P. alcaligenes and P. pseudoalcaligenes lipase, e.g., as described in EP 218 272, a P. cepacia lipase, e.g., as described in EP 331 376, a P. stutzeri lipase, e.g., as disclosed in GB 1,372,034, a P. fluorescens lipase, a Bacillus lipase, e.g., a B. subtilis lipase (Dartois et al., (1993), Biochemica et Biophysica acta 1131, 253-260), a B. stearothermophilus lipase (JP 64/744992) and a B. pumilus lipase (WO 91/16422).

Furthermore, a number of cloned lipases may be useful, including the Penicillium camembertii lipase described by Yamaguchi et al., (1991), Gene 103, 61-67), the Geotricum candidum lipase (Schimada, Y. et al., (1989), J. Biochem., 106, 383-388), and various Rhizopus lipases such as a R. delemar lipase (Hass, M. J et al., (1991), Gene 109, 117-113), a R. niveus lipase (Kugimiya et al., (1992), Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 56, 716-719) and an R. oryzae lipase.

Other types of lipolytic enzymes such as cutinases may also be useful, e.g., a cutinase derived from Pseudomonas mendocina as described in WO 88/09367, or a cutinase derived from Fusarium solani pisi (e.g. described in WO 90/09446).

Especially suitable lipases are lipases such as M1 Lipase™, Luma fast™ and Lipomax™ (Genencor), Lipolase™ and Lipolase Ultra™ (Novo Nordisk A/S), and Lipase P “Amano” (Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.).

The lipases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level of from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level of from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Amylases: Any amylase (alpha and/or beta) suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable amylases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included. Amylases include, for example, alpha-amylases obtained from a special strain of B. licheniformis, described in more detail in GB 1,296,839. Commercially available amylases are Duramyl™, Termamyl™, Fungamyl™ and BAN™ (available from Novo Nordisk A/S) and Rapidase™ and Maxamyl P™ (available from Genencor).

The amylases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level of from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level of from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Cellulases: Any cellulase suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, which discloses fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens. Especially suitable cellulases are the cellulases having color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in European patent application No. 0 495 257.

Commercially available cellulases include Celluzyme™ produced by a strain of Humicola insolens, (Novo Nordisk A/S), and KAC-500(B)™(Kao Corporation).

Cellulases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level of from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level of from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Peroxidases/Oxidases: Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof (e.g. a percarbonate, perborate or persulfate). Oxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen. Both types of enzymes are used for “solution bleaching”, i.e. to prevent transfer of a textile dye from a dyed fabric to another fabric when said fabrics are washed together in a wash liquor, preferably together with an enhancing agent as described in e.g. WO 94/12621 and WO 95/01426. Suitable peroxidases/oxidases include those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included.

Peroxidase and/or oxidase enzymes are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level of from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level of from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level of from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Mixtures of the above mentioned enzymes are encompassed herein, in particular a mixture of a protease, an amylase, a lipase and/or a cellulase.

The enzyme of the invention, or any other enzyme incorporated in the detergent composition, is normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% to 2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% to 1% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level from 0.001% to 0.5% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Bleaching Agents

Additional optional detergent ingredients that can be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention include bleaching agents such as PB1, PB4 and percarbonate with a particle size of 400-800 microns. These bleaching agent components can include one or more oxygen bleaching agents and, depending upon the bleaching agent chosen, one or more bleach activators. When present, oxygen bleaching compounds will typically be present at levels of from about 1% to about 25%. In general, bleaching compounds are optional added components in non-liquid formulations, e.g. granular detergents.

The bleaching agent component for use herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions including oxygen bleaches as well as others known in the art.

The bleaching agent suitable for the present invention can be an activated or non-activated bleaching agent.

One category of oxygen bleaching agent that can be used encompasses percarboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of meta-chloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,781, U.S. Pat. No. 740,446, EP 0 133 354 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551.

Another category of bleaching agents that can be used encompasses the halogen bleaching agents. Examples of hypohalite bleaching agents, for example, include trichloro isocyanuric acid and the sodium and potassium dichloro isocyanurates and N-chloro and N-bromo alkane sulfonamides. Such materials are normally added at 0.5-10% by weight of the finished product, preferably 1-5% by weight.

The hydrogen peroxide releasing agents can be used in combination with bleach activators such as tetra-acetylethylenediamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934), 3,5-trimethyl-hexsanoloxybenzenesulfonate (ISONOBS, described in EP 120 591) or pentaacetylglucose (PAG), which are perhydrolyzed to form a peracid as the active bleaching species, leading to improved bleaching effect. In addition, very suitable are the bleach activators C8 (6-octanamido-caproyl) oxybenzene-sulfonate, C9 (6-nonanamido caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate and C10 (6-decanamido caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate or mixtures thereof. Also suitable activators are acylated citrate esters such as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 91870207.7.

Useful bleaching agents, including peroxyacids and bleaching systems comprising bleach activators and peroxygen bleaching compounds for use-in cleaning compositions according to the invention are described in application U.S. Ser. No. 08/136,626.

The hydrogen peroxide may also be present by adding an enzymatic system (i.e. an enzyme and a substrate therefore) which is capable of generation of hydrogen peroxide at the beginning or during the washing and/or rinsing process. Such enzymatic systems are disclosed in European Patent Application EP 0 537 381.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be utilized herein. One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photoactivated bleaching agents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines. These materials can be deposited upon the substrate during the washing process. Upon irradiation with light, in the presence of oxygen, such as by hanging clothes out to dry in the daylight, the sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine is activated and, consequently, the substrate is bleached. Preferred zinc phthalocyanine and a photoactivated bleaching process are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,718. Typically, detergent composition will contain about 0.025% to about 1.25%, by weight, of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine.

Bleaching agents may also comprise a manganese catalyst. The manganese catalyst may, e.g., be one of the compounds described in “Efficient manganese catalysts for low-temperature bleaching”, Nature 369, 1994, pp. 637-639.

Suds Suppressors

Another optional ingredient is a suds suppressor, exemplified by silicones, and silica-silicone mixtures. Silicones can generally be represented by alkylated polysiloxane materials, while silica is normally used in finely divided forms exemplified by silica aerogels and xerogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. Theses materials can be incorporated as particulates, in which the suds suppressor is advantageously releasably incorporated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially non surface-active detergent impermeable carrier. Alternatively the suds suppressor can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier and applied by spraying on to one or more of the other components.

A preferred silicone suds controlling agent is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,672. Other particularly useful suds suppressors are the self-emulsifying silicone suds suppressors, described in German Patent Application DTOS 2,646,126. An example of such a-compound is DC-544, commercially available form Dow Corning, which is a siloxane-glycol copolymer. Especially preferred suds controlling agent are the suds suppressor system comprising a mixture of silicone oils and 2-alkyl-alkanols. Suitable 2-alkyl-alkanols are 2-butyl-octanol which is commercially available under the trade name Isofol 12 R.

Such suds suppressor system are described in European Patent Application EP 0 593 841.

Especially preferred silicone suds controlling agents are described in European Patent Application No. 92201649.8. Said compositions can comprise a silicone/silica mixture in combination with fumed nonporous silica such as Aerosil^(R).

The suds suppressors described above are normally employed at levels of from 0.001% to 2% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 1% by weight.

Other Components

Other components used in detergent compositions may be employed such as soil-suspending agents, soil-releasing agents, optical brighteners, abrasives, bactericides, tarnish inhibitors, coloring agents, and/or encapsulated or nonencapsulated perfumes.

Especially suitable encapsulating materials are water soluble capsules which consist of a matrix of polysaccharide and polyhydroxy compounds such as described in GB 1,464,616.

Other suitable water soluble encapsulating materials comprise dextrins derived from ungelatinized starch acid esters of substituted dicarboxylic acids such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,838. These acid-ester dextrins are, preferably, prepared from such starches as waxy maize, waxy sorghum, sago, tapioca and potato. Suitable examples of said encapsulation materials include N-Lok manufactured by National Starch. The N-Lok encapsulating material consists of a modified maize starch and glucose. The starch is modified by adding mono-functional substituted groups such as octenyl succinic acid anhydride.

Antiredeposition and soil suspension agents suitable herein include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts. Polymers of this type include the polyacrylates and maleic anhydride-acrylic acid copolymers previously mentioned as builders, as well as copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the copolymer. These materials are normally used at levels of from 0.5% to 10% by weight, more preferably form 0.75% to 8%, most preferably from 1% to 6% by weight of the composition.

Preferred optical brighteners are anionic in character, examples of which are disodium 4,4′-bis-(2-diethanolamino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2:2′-disulfonate, disodium 4,4′-bis-(2-morpholino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino-stilbene-2:2′-disulfonate, disodium 4,4′-bis-(2,4-dianilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2:2′-disulfonate, monosodium 4′,4″-bis-(2,4-dianilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2-sulphonate, disodium 4,4′-bis-(2-anilino-4-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2,2′-disulfonate, disodium 4,4′-bis-(4-phenyl-2,1,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbene-2,2′ disulfonate, disodium 4,4′-bis(2-anilino-4-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2,2′-disulphonate, sodium 2(stilbyl-4″-(naphtho-1′,2′:4,5)-1,2,3-triazole-2″-sulphonate and 4,4′-bis(2-sulphostyryl)biphenyl.

Other useful polymeric materials are the polyethylene glycols, particularly those of molecular weight 1000-10000, more particularly 2000 to 8000 and most preferably about 4000. These are used at levels of from 0.20% to 5% more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5% by weight. These polymers and the previously mentioned homo- or co-polymeric poly-carboxylate salts are valuable for improving whiteness maintenance, fabric ash deposition, and cleaning performance on clay, proteinaceous and oxidizable soils in the presence of transition metal impurities.

Soil release agents useful in compositions of the present invention are conventionally copolymers or terpolymers of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol units in various arrangements. Examples of such polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,885 and 4,711,730 and EP 0 272 033. A particular preferred polymer in accordance with EP 0 272 033 has the formula: (CH₃(PEG)₄₃)_(0.75)(POH)_(0.25)[T-PO)_(2.8)(T-PEG)_(0.4)]T(POH)_(0.25)((PEG)₄₃CH₃)_(0.75) where PEG is —(OC₂H₄)O—, PO is (OC₃H₆O) and T is (pOOC₆H₄CO).

Also very useful are modified polyesters as random copolymers of dimethyl terephthalate, dimethyl sulfoisophthalate, ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol, the end groups consisting primarily of sulfobenzoate and secondarily of mono esters of ethylene glycol and/or 1,2-propanediol. The target is to obtain a polymer capped at both end by sulfobenzoate groups, “primarily”, in the present context most of said copolymers herein will be end-capped by sulfobenzoate groups. However, some copolymers will be less than fully capped, and therefore their end groups may consist of monoesters of ethylene glycol and/or 1,2-propanediol, thereof consist “secondarily” of such species.

The selected polyesters herein contain about 46% by weight of dimethyl terephthalic acid, about 16% by weight of 1,2-propanediol, about 10% by weight ethylene glycol, about 13% by weight of dimethyl sulfobenzoic acid and about 15% by weight of sulfoisophthalic acid, and have a molecular weight of about 3.000. The polyesters and their method of preparation are described in detail in EP 311 342.

Softening agents: Fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into laundry detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention. These agents may be inorganic or organic in type. Inorganic softening agents are exemplified by the smectite clays disclosed in GB-A-1 400898 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,292. Organic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines as disclosed in GB-A1 514 276 and EP 0 011 340 and their combination with mono C₁₂-C₁₄ quaternary ammonium salts are disclosed in EP-B-0 026 528 and di-long-chain amides as disclosed in EP 0 242 919. Other useful organic ingredients of fabric softening systems include high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials as disclosed in EP 0 299 575 and 0 313 146.

Levels of smectite clay are normally in the range from 5% to 15%, more preferably from 8% to 12% by weight, with the material being added as a dry mixed component to the remainder of the formulation. Organic fabric softening agents such as the water-insoluble tertiary amines or di-long chain amide materials are incorporated at levels of from 0.5% to 5% by weight, normally from 1% to 3% by weight whilst the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials and the water soluble cationic materials are added at levels of from 0.1% to 2%, normally from 0.15% to 1.5% by weight. These materials are normally added to the spray dried portion of the composition, although in some instances it may be more convenient to add them as a dry mixed particulate, or spray them as molten liquid on to other solid components of the composition.

Polymeric dye-transfer inhibiting agents: The detergent compositions according to the present invention may also comprise from 0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.01% to 2%, more preferably form 0.05% to 1% by weight of polymeric dye-transfer inhibiting agents. Said polymeric dye-transfer inhibiting agents are normally incorporated into detergent compositions in order to inhibit the transfer of dyes from colored fabrics onto fabrics washed therewith. These polymers have the ability of complexing or adsorbing the fugitive dyes washed out of dyed fabrics before the dyes have the opportunity to become attached to other articles in the wash.

Especially suitable polymeric dye-transfer inhibiting agents are polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinyl-pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles or mixtures thereof.

Addition of such polymers also enhances the performance of the enzymes according the invention.

The detergent composition according to the invention can be in liquid, paste, gels, bars or granular forms.

Non-dusting granulates may be produced, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,106,991 and 4,661,452 (both to Novo Industri A/S) and may optionally be coated by methods known in the art. Examples of waxy coating materials are poly(ethylene oxide) products (polyethyleneglycol, PEG) with mean molecular weights of 1000 to 20000; ethoxylated nonylphenols having from 16 to 50 ethylene oxide units; ethoxylated fatty alcohols in which the alcohol contains from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and in which there are 15 to 80 ethylene oxide units; fatty alcohols; fatty acids; and mono- and di- and triglycerides of fatty acids. Examples of film-forming coating materials suitable for application by fluid bed techniques are given in GB 1483591.

Granular compositions according to the present invention can also be in “compact form”, i.e. they may have a relatively higher density than conventional granular detergents, i.e. form 550 to 950 g/l; in such case, the granular detergent compositions according to the present invention will contain a lower amount of “Inorganic filler salt”, compared to conventional granular detergents; typical filler salts are alkaline earth metal salts of sulfates and chlorides, typically sodium sulfate; “Compact” detergent typically comprise not more than 10% filler salt. The liquid compositions according to the present invention can also be in “concentrated form”, in such case, the liquid detergent compositions according to the present invention will contain a lower amount of water, compared to conventional liquid detergents. Typically, the water content of the concentrated liquid detergent is less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, most preferably less than 10% by weight of the detergent compositions.

The compositions of the invention may for example, be formulated as hand and machine laundry detergent compositions including laundry additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment of stained fabrics, rinse added fabric softener compositions, and compositions for use in general household hard surface cleaning operations and dishwashing operations.

The following examples are meant to exemplify compositions for the present invention, but are not necessarily meant to limit or otherwise define the scope of the invention.

In the detergent compositions, the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:

LAS: Sodium linear C₁₂ alkyl benzene sulfonate TAS: Sodium tallow alkyl sulfate XYAS: Sodium C_(1X)-C_(1Y) alkyl sulfate SS: Secondary soap surfactant of formula 2-butyl octanoic acid 25EY: A C₁₂-C₁₅ predominantly linear primary alcohol condensed with an average of Y moles of ethylene oxide 45EY: A C₁₄-C₁₅ predominantly linear primary alcohol condensed with an average of Y moles of ethylene oxide XYEZS: C_(1X)-C_(1Y) sodium alkyl sulfate condensed with an average of Z moles of ethylene oxide per mole Nonionic: C₁₃-C₁₅ mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty alcohol with an average degree of ethoxylation of 3.8 and an average degree of propoxylation of 4.5 sold under the trade name Plurafax LF404 by BASF GmbH CFAA: C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl N-methyl glucamide TFAA: C₁₆-C₁₈ alkyl N-methyl glucamide Silicate: Amorphous Sodium Silicate (SiO₂:Na₂O ratio = 2.0) NaSKS-6: Crystalline layered silicate of formula δ-Na₂Si₂O₅ Carbonate: Anhydrous sodium carbonate Phosphate: Sodium tripolyphosphate MA/AA: Copolymer of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid, average molecular weight about 80,000 Polyacrylate: Polyacrylate homopolymer with an average molecular weight of 8,000 sold under the trade name PA30 by BASF GmbH Zeolite A: Hydrated Sodium Aluminosilicate of formula Na₁₂(AlO₂SiO₂)₁₂.27H₂O having a primary particle size in the range from 1 to 10 micrometers Citrate: Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate Citric: Citric Acid Perborate: Anhydrous sodium perborate monohydrate bleach, empirical formula NaBO₂.H₂O₂ PB4: Anhydrous sodium perborate tetrahydrate Percarbonate: Anhydrous sodium percarbonate bleach of empirical formula 2Na₂CO₃.3H₂O₂ TAED: Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine CMC: Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose DETPMP: Diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid), marketed by Monsanto under the Trade name Dequest 2060 PVP: Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer EDDS: Ethylenediamine-N, N′-disuccinic acid, [S,S] isomer in the form of the sodium salt Suds 25% paraffin wax Mpt 50° C., 17% hydrophobic silica, 58% Suppressor: paraffin oil Granular Suds: 12% Silicone/silica, 18% stearyl alcohol, 70% Suppressor: starch in granular form Sulfate: Anhydrous sodium sulfate HMWPEO: High molecular weight polyethylene oxide TAE 25: Tallow alcohol ethoxylate (25)

DETERGENT EXAMPLE I

A granular fabric cleaning composition in accordance with the invention may be prepared as follows:

Sodium linear C₁₂ alkyl 6.5 benzene sulfonate Sodium sulfate 15.0 Zeolite A 26.0 Sodium nitrilotriacetate 5.0 Enzyme of the invention 0.1 PVP 0.5 TAED 3.0 Boric acid 4.0 Perborate 18.0 Phenol sulfonate 0.1 Minors Up to 100

DETERGENT EXAMPLE II

A compact granular fabric cleaning composition (density 800 g/l) in accord with the invention may be prepared as follows:

45AS 8.0 25E3S 2.0 25E5 3.0 25E3 3.0 TFAA 2.5 Zeolite A 17.0 NaSKS-6 12.0 Citric acid 3.0 Carbonate 7.0 MA/AA 5.0 CMC 0.4 Enzyme of the invention 0.1 TAED 6.0 Percarbonate 22.0 EDDS 0.3 Granular suds suppressor 3.5 water/minors Up to 100%

DETERGENT EXAMPLE III

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accordance with the invention which are especially useful in the laundering of colored fabrics were prepared as follows:

LAS 10.7  — TAS 2.4 — TFAA — 4.0 45AS 3.1 10.0  45E7 4.0 — 25E3S — 3.0 68E11 1.8 — 25E5 — 8.0 Citrate 15.0  7.0 Carbonate — 10   Citric acid 2.5 3.0 Zeolite A 32.1  25.0  Na-SKS-6 — 9.0 MA/AA 5.0 5.0 DETPMP 0.2 0.8 Enzyme of the invention  0.10  0.05 Silicate 2.5 — Sulfate 5.2 3.0 PVP 0.5 — Poly (4-vinylpyridine)-N- — 0.2 Oxide/copolymer of vinyl- imidazole and vinyl- pyrrolidone Perborate 1.0 — Phenol sulfonate 0.2 — Water/Minors Up to 100%

DETERGENT EXAMPLE IV

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accordance with the invention which provide “Softening through the wash” capability may be prepared as follows:

45AS — 10.0  LAS 7.6 — 68AS 1.3 — 45E7 4.0 — 25E3 — 5.0 Coco-alkyl-dimethyl hydroxy- 1.4 1.0 ethyl ammonium chloride Citrate 5.0 3.0 Na-SKS-6 — 11.0  Zeolite A 15.0  15.0  MA/AA 4.0 4.0 DETPMP 0.4 0.4 Perborate 15.0  — Percarbonate — 15.0  TAED 5.0 5.0 Smectite clay 10.0  10.0  HMWPEO — 0.1 Enzyme of the invention  0.10  0.05 Silicate 3.0 5.0 Carbonate 10.0  10.0  Granular suds suppressor 1.0 4.0 CMC 0.2 0.1 Water/Minors Up to 100%

DETERGENT EXAMPLE V

Heavy duty liquid fabric cleaning compositions in accordance with the invention may be prepared as follows:

I II LAS acid form — 25.0  Citric acid 5.0 2.0 25AS acid form 8.0 — 25AE2S acid form 3.0 — 25AE7 8.0 — CFAA 5   — DETPMP 1.0 1.0 Fatty acid 8   — Oleic acid — 1.0 Ethanol 4.0 6.0 Propanediol 2.0 6.0 Enzyme of the invention  0.10  0.05 Coco-alkyl dimethyl — 3.0 hydroxy ethyl ammonium chloride Smectite clay — 5.0 PVP 2.0 — Water/Minors Up to 100% Leather Industry Applications

A subtilase of the invention may be used in the leather industry, in particular for use in depilation of skins.

In said application a subtilase variant of the invention is preferably used in an enzyme composition which further comprises another protease.

For a more detailed description of suitable other proteases see section relating to suitable enzymes for use in a detergent composition (vide supra).

Wool Industry Applications

A subtilase of the invention may be used in the wool industry, in particular for use in cleaning of clothes comprising wool.

In said application a subtilase variant of the invention is preferably used in an enzyme composition which further comprises another protease.

For a more detailed description of suitable other proteases see section relating to suitable enzymes for use in a detergent composition (vide supra).

The invention is described in further detail in the following examples which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

MATERIALS AMD METHODS

Strains:

B. subtilis DN1885 (Diderichsen et al., 1990).

B. lentus 309 and 147 are specific strains of Bacillus lentus, deposited with the NCIB and accorded the accession numbers NCIB 10309 and 10147, and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,250 incorporated by reference herein.

E. coli MC 1000 (M. J. Casadaban and S. N. Cohen (1980); J. Mol. Biol. 138 179-207), was made r⁻,m⁺ by conventional methods and is also described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 039,298.

Plasmids:

pJS3: E. coli—B. subtilis shuttle vector containing a synthetic gene encoding for subtilase 309. (Described by Jacob Schiødt et al. in Protein and Peptide letters 3:39-44 (1996)).

pSX222: B. subtilis expression vector (Described in WO 96/34946).

General Molecular Biology Methods:

Unless otherwise mentioned the DNA manipulations and transformations were performed using standard methods of molecular biology (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.) “Current protocols in Molecular Biology”. John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C. R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.) “Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus”. John Wiley and Sons, 1990).

Enzymes for DNA manipulations were used according to the specifications of the suppliers.

Enzymes for DNA Manipulations

Unless otherwise mentioned all enzymes for DNA manipulations, such as e.g. restriction endonucleases, ligases etc., are obtained from New England Bolas, Inc.

Proteolytic Activity

In the context of this invention proteolytic activity is expressed in Kilo NOVO Protease Units (KNPU). The activity is determined relatively to an enzyme standard (SAVINASE®), and the determination is based on the digestion of a dimethyl casein (DMC) solution by the proteolytic enzyme at standard conditions, i.e. 50° C., pH 8.3, 9 min. reaction time, 3 min. measuring time. A folder AF 220/1 is available upon request to Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark, which folder is hereby included by reference.

A GU is a Glycine Unit, defined as the proteolytic enzyme activity which, under standard conditions, during a 15 minute incubation at 40° C., with N-acetyl casein as substrate, produces an amount of NH₂-group equivalent to 1 mmole of glycine.

Enzyme activity can also be measured using the PNA assay, according to reaction with the soluble substrate succinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-phenyl-alanine-para-nitrophenol, which is described in the Journal of American Oil Chemists Society, Rothgeb, T. M., Goodlander, B. D., Garrison, P. H., and Smith, L. A., (1988).

Fermentation:

Fermentation of subtilase enzymes were performed at 30° C. on a rotary shaking table (300 r.p.m.) in 500 ml baffled Erlenmeyer flasks containing 100 ml BPX medium for 5 days.

Consequently in order to produce e.g. 2 liter broth, 20 Erlenmeyer flasks were fermented simultaneously.

Media:

BPX: Composition (per liter) Potato starch 100 g Ground barley  50 g Soybean flour  20 g Na₂HPO₄X12H₂O  9 g Pluronic  0.1 g Sodium caseinate  10 g

The starch in the medium is liquefied with alpha-amylase and the medium is sterilized by heating at 120° C. for 45 minutes. After sterilization the pH of the medium is adjusted to 9 by addition of NaHCO₃ to 0.1 M.

EXAMPLE 1

Construction and Expression of Enzyme Variants

Site-Directed Mutagenesis:

Subtilase 309 site-directed variants, where specific insertions were performed in one the active site loops according to the invention, was made by the “Unique site elimination (USE)” or the “Uracil-USE” technique described respectively by Deng et al. (Anal. Biochem. 200:81-88 (1992)) and Markvardsen et al. (BioTechniques 18(3):371-372 (1995)).

The template plasmid was pJS3, or an analogue of this containing a variant of subtilase 309, e.g. USE mutagenesis was performed with an oligonucleotide directed to the construction of a G97GASG insertion variant resulting in a final G97GASG Subtilase 309 variant.

The subtilase 309 variants constructed in pJS3 were then subcloned into the B. subtilis pSX222 expression plasmid, using the restriction enzymes KpnI and MluI.

Localized Random Mutagenesis in Order to Insert Random Insertions in a Localized Region:

The overall strategy used to perform localized random mutagenesis was:

a mutagenic primer (oligonucleotide) was synthesized which corresponds to the part of the DNA sequence to be modified except for the nucleotide(s) corresponding to amino acid codon(s) to be modified by insertions.

Subsequently, the resulting mutagenic primer was used in a PCR reaction with a suitable opposite primer. The resulting PCR fragment was purified and digested and cloned into a E coli-B. subtilis shuttle vector.

Alternatively, and if necessary, the resulting PCR fragment is used in a second PCR reaction as a primer with a second suitable opposite primer so as to allow digestion and cloning of the mutagenized region into the shuttle vector. The PCR reactions are performed under normal conditions.

Following this strategy a localized random library was constructed in SAVINASE wherein insertions were introduced in the active site loop region from 95-103.

The mutations/insertions were introduced by mutagenic primers (se below), so that only four amino acids: Thr, Gly, Ala and Ser are represented with two codons each (R=50% A and G; S=50% C and G; and Y=50% C and T). The produced PCR fragment were cloned into the Avr II and Not I sites of plasmid pJS3, and ten randomly chosen E. coli colonies were sequenced to confirm the mutations designed.

The mutagenic primer (5′-CTA TAC GCT AAA GTC CTA GGG GCG RSY RSY RSY RSY RSY RSY RSY GTC AGC TCG ATT GCC CM GG-3′ (sense) (SEQ ID NO: 17)) were used in a PCR reaction with a suitable anti-sense opposite primer, situated downstream of the MluI site in pJS3 (e.g. 5′-CCC TTT AAC CGC ACA GCG TTT-3′ (anti-sense) (SEQ ID NO: 18)) and the plasmid pJS3 as template. This resulting PCR product was cloned into the pJS3 shuttle vector by using the restriction enzymes Avr II and Not I.

The localized random library constructed in pJS3 was then subcloned into the B. subtilis pSX222 expression plasmid, using the restriction enzymes KpnI and MluI.

The library prepared contained approximately 100,000 individual clones/library.

Ten randomly chosen colonies were sequenced to confirm the mutations designed.

In order to purify a subtilase variant of the invention the B. subtilis pSX222 expression plasmid comprising a variant of the invention was transformed into a competent B. subtilis strain and was fermented as described above in a medium containing 10 micrograms/ml chloramphenicol (CAM).

EXAMPLE 2

Purification of Enzyme Variants

This procedure describes the purification of a 2 liter scale fermentation of subtilisin 147, subtilisin 309 or mutants thereof.

Approximately 1.6 liters of fermentation broth were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 35 minutes in 1 liter beakers. The supernatants were adjusted to pH 6.5 using 10% acetic acid and filtered on Seitz Supra S100 filter plates.

The filtrates were concentrated to approximately 400 ml using an Amicon CH2A UF unit equipped with an Amicon S1Y10 UF cartridge. The UF concentrate was centrifuged and filtered prior to absorption at room temperature on a Bacitracin affinity column at pH 7. The protease was eluted from the Bacitracin column at room temperature using 25% 2-propanol and 1 M sodium chloride in a buffer solution with 0.01 dimethylglutaric acid, 0.1 M boric acid and 0.002 M calcium chloride adjusted to pH 7.

The fractions with protease activity from the Bacitracin purification step were combined and applied to a 750 ml Sephadex G25 column (5 cm dia.) equilibrated with a buffer containing 0.01 dimethylglutaric acid, 0.2 M boric acid and 0.002 M calcium chloride adjusted to pH 6.5.

Fractions with proteolytic activity from the Sephadex G25 column were combined and applied to a 150 ml CM Sepharose CL 6B cation exchange column (5 cm dia.) equilibrated with a buffer containing 0.01 M dimethylglutaric acid, 0.2 M boric acid, and 0.002 M calcium chloride adjusted to pH 6.5.

The protease was eluted using a linear gradient of 0-0.1 M sodium chloride in 2 liters of the same buffer (0-0.2 M sodium chloride in case of subtilisin 147).

In a final purification step protease containing fractions from the CM Sepharose column were combined and concentrated in an Amicon ultrafiltration cell equipped with a GR81PP membrane (from the Danish Sugar Factories Inc.).

By using the techniques of Example 1 for the construction and the above isolation procedure the following subtilisin 309 variants were produced and isolated:

37.03: G97GASG+A98S+S99G+G100A+S101A;

37.06: G97GAA+A98S+S99G+S101T; and

37.04: G97GAS+A98S+S99G.

EXAMPLE 3

Wash Performance of Detergent Compositions Comprising Enzyme Variants

The following example provides results from a number of washing tests that were conducted under the conditions indicated

Experimental Conditions

TABLE III Experimental conditions for evaluation of Subtilisin 309 variants. Detergent Protease Model Detergent 95 Detergent dose 3.0 g/l pH 10.5 Wash time  15 min. Temperature 15° C. Water hardness 6°dH Enzymes Subtilisin 309 variants as listed below Enzyme conc.  10 nM Test system 150 ml glass beakers with a stirring rod Textile/volume 5 textile pieces (∅ 2.5 cm) in 50 ml detergent Test material EMPA117 from Center for Testmaterials, Holland

The detergent used is a simple model formulation. pH is adjusted to 10.5 which is within the normal range for a powder detergent. The composition of model detergent 95 is as follows:

STP (Na₅P₃O₁₀)  25% Na₂SO₄  25% Na₂CO₃  10% LAS (Nansa 80S)  20% Nonionic tenside (Dobanol 25-7) 5.0% Na₂Si₂O₅ 5.0% Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 0.5% Water 9.5%

Water hardness was adjusted by adding CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ (Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺=2:1) to deionized water (see also Surfactants in Consumer Products—Theory, Technology and Application, Springer Verlag 1986). pH of the detergent solution was adjusted to pH 10.5 by addition of HCl.

Measurement of reflectance (R) on the test material was done at 460 nm using a Macbeth ColorEye 7000 photometer. The measurements were done according to the manufacturer's protocol.

The wash performance of the Subtilisin 309 variants was evaluated by calculating a performance factor: P=(R _(variant) −R _(blank))−(R _(Savinase) −R _(blank)) wherein

-   P: Performance factor -   R_(Variant): Reflectance of test material washed with variant -   R_(Savinase): Reflectance of test material washed with Savinase® -   R_(Blank): Reflectance of test material washed with no enzyme

The claimed Subtilisin 309 variants all have improved wash performance compared to Savinase®—i.e. P>1.

The variants are divided into improvement classes designated with capital letters:

-   Class A: 1<P≦1.5 -   Class B: 1.5<P≦2 -   Class C: P>2

TABLE IV Subtilisin 309 variants and improvement classes. Improvement class Variants A 37.03: G97GASG + A98S + S99G + G100A + S101A 37.04: G97GAS + A98S + S99G B 37.06: G97GAA + A98S + S99G + S101T C

As it can be seen from Table IV SAVINASE® variants of the invention exhibits an improvement in wash performance. 

1. A modified subtilase comprising a mutation in an amino acid sequence of a subtilase, wherein the mutation comprises an insertion of at least one amino acid at position 218 and further comprises an insertion of at least one amino acid at position 219 in the active site loop located at positions 218-219, wherein the positions are numbered according to the amino acid sequence of the mature subtilisin BPN′ set forth in SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the mutation comprises an insertion of at least two amino acids at position
 218. 3. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the mutation comprises an insertion of at least two amino acids at position
 219. 4. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion at either or both of the positions 218 and 219 comprises at least A, G, S or T.
 5. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion at either or both of the positions 218 and 219 comprises at least D, E, H, K or R.
 6. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion at either or both of the positions 218 and 219 comprises at least C, N, Q, S or T.
 7. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion at either or both of the positions 218 and 219 comprises at least A, G or V.
 8. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion at either or both of the positions 218 and 219 comprises at least F I, L, M, P, W or Y.
 9. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the insertion consists of a single amino acid at both of the positions 218 and
 219. 10. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the subtilase is an I-S1 subgroup subtilase.
 11. The modified subtilase of claim 10, wherein the subtilase is subtilisin I168, subtilisin BPN′, subtilisin DY, or subtilisin Garisberg.
 12. The modified subtilase of claim 1, wherein the subtilase is an I-S2 subgroup subtilase.
 13. The modified subtilase of claim 12, wherein the subtilase is subtilisin 147, subtilisin 309, subtilisin PB92, or subtilisin YaB.
 14. The modified subtilase of claim 1, further comprising one or more modifications in the amino acid sequence of the subtilase at one or more of positions 27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 129, 131, 133, 167, 170, 194, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and
 274. 15. The modified subtilase of claim 14, wherein the one or more modifications are K27R, *36D, S57P, N76D, S87N, G97N, S101G, V104A, V104N, V104Y, H120D, N123S, Y167A, R170L, R170N, R170S, Q206E, N218S, M222A, M222S, T224S, K235L, or T274A.
 16. The modified subtilase of claim 15, wherein the one or more modifications are K27R+V104Y+N123S+T274A, N76D103A+V104I, N76D+V104A, S87N+S101G+V104N, S101G+V104N, or any other combination of K27R, N76D, S101G, V104A, V104N, V104Y, N123S, or T274A.
 17. The modified subtilase of claim 14, wherein the one or more modifications are P129K, P131H, A133D, A133P, or A194P.
 18. The modified subtilase of claim 14, wherein the one or more modifications are selected from the group of modifications consisting of, Y167A+R170L+P129K, Y167A+R170N+P129K, Y167A+R170S+P129K, Y167A+R170L+P131H, Y167A+R170N+P131H, Y167A+R170S+P131H, Y167A+R170L+A133D, Y167A+R170N+A133D, Y167A+R170S+A133D, Y167A+R170L+A133P, Y167A+R170N+A133P, Y167A+R170S+A133P, Y167A+R170L+A194P, Y167A+R170N+A194P, and Y167A+R170S+A194P.
 19. A composition comprising a modified subtilase of claim 1 and a surfactant.
 20. The composition of claim 19, further comprising an amylase, cellulase, cutinase, lipase, oxidoreductase, or another protease. 